Adaptor coupling for fluid flow conduits

ABSTRACT

An adaptor coupling for fluid flow conduits includes a central hollow tube having a fluid flow passage therethrough, a first threaded coupler fitting secured to one end of the central tube, and a second threaded coupler fitting rotatably and slidably carried by the central tube. A hand wheel is secured to the second fitting to facilitate connection of the fitting to a fluid flow conduit, and the hand wheel is provided with lugs which extend toward the first fitting. The hand wheel and second fitting are slidable on the central tube between a first position in which the hand wheel can be freely rotated relative to the first fitting and a second position in which the lugs engage mating surfaces on the first fitting to cause the first fitting to rotate with the hand wheel.

[111 3,749,356 [451 July 31,1973

[ ADAPTOR COUPLING FOR FLUID FLOW CONDUITS [75] Inventor: James RobertConley, Wichita, Kans.

[73] Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.,

Wichita, Kans.

[22] Filed: Apr. 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 246,940

3,055,397 9/1962 Vrshek 222/3 X Primary Examiner-William R. ClineAttorneyDawson, Tilton, Fallon & Lungmus [57] ABSTRACT An adaptorcoupling for fluid flow conduits includes a central hollow tube having afluid flow passage therethrough, a first threaded coupler fittingsecured to one end of the central tube, and a second threadedcouplerfitting rotatably and slidably carried by the central tube. A hand wheelis secured to the second fitting to facilitate connection of the fittingto a fluid flow conduit, and the hand wheel is provided with lugs whichextend toward the first fitting. The hand wheel and second fitting areslidable on the central tube between a first position in which the handwheel can be freely rotated relative to the first fitting and a secondposition in which the lugs engage mating surfaces on the first fittingto cause the first fitting to rotate with the hand wheel.

10. Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENnZnJuLa 1 ms I sum 1 0r 4 FIG.2

PATENTED JUL31 3, 749 356 SHEET 3 [IF 4 ADAPTOR COUPLING FOR FLUID FLOWCONDUITS BACKGROUND This invention relates to an adaptor coupling, and,more particularly, to an adaptor coupling in which a hand wheel can beused to connect first one fitting of the adaptor and then another tofluid flow conduits.

The invention finds particular utility in coupling combustible fuelpowered appliances with fuel sources and will be explained inconjunction therewith. Appliances such as lanterns, stoves, catalyticheaters, and the like which are intended to be used outdoors and poweredby fuel such as propane are well known.

Propane fuel for these appliances may be supplied either in conventionalthrow-away L-P containers or in larger, refillable bulk containers. Thesmaller throwaway LP containers generally are provided with a malefitting similar to that shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,914,and the appliance may include a fuel flow conduit or hose which can beconnected to the male fitting of the LP container. The larger refillablecontainers generally are provided with a fitting different from the malefitting of the throw-away container, and an appliance having a fuel hosewhich is adapted for connection to the fitting of either the throw-awaycontainer or the refillable container generally cannot be connected tothe other type of container. For example, a refillable propane containermay be conventionally provided with a standard POL valve which includedan internally threaded female connector fitting.

It is desirable to permit an appliance to be used with either athrow-away LP container or a larger refillable container. For example, apropane lantern could "be connected to a refillable tank at the campsitewhen mobility of the lantern is not important. However, when the lanternis to be carried by the camper, it is more convenient to use a smallerfuel tank which can be car- 'ried with the lantern.

If the appliance is to be used with both types of fuel containers, anadaptor must be provided for adapting the fuel'hose of the appliancewhich is intended for use with one type of container to be used with theother type of container. Since such adaptors are frequently usedoutdoors, it is desirable that the adaptor be capable of quick, fueltight connection to both the fuel hose and the fuel tank and quickdisconnection without the used tools. v I

7 SUMMARY This invention provides an adaptor which permits a pair offluid flow conduits to be quickly connected without the use of wrenches,pliers, or other tools. One coupler fitting is secured to an elongatedadaptor body, and the other coupler fitting is rotatably and slidablycarried by the adaptor body. A hand wheel is fixedto the rotatablefitting to permit the fitting to be tightened by hand, and the handwheel is provided with lugs which are engageable with mating surfaces onthe other fitting to permit the hand wheel to be used to tighten thatfitting. The fitting which is secured to the adaptor body can beconnected to its associated fluid flow conduit-by sliding the hand wheelaxially toward the fitting so that the lugs engage the mating surfaces,and then rotating the fitting with the hand wheel. Thereafter, the handwheel can be moved axially to move the lugs out of engagement with thefirst fitting, and the hand wheel can be used to connect the secondfitting to its associated fluid flow conduit. The hand wheel is thussucces sively used as a torque-providing means for first onefitting andthen the other to permit each fitting to be tightened by hand. Ifdesired, the threads of the fittings can be of opposite hands so thataccidental engagement of the lugs with the first fitting while thesecond fitting is being rotated will not loosen the first fitting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be explained inconjunction with an illustrative embodiment shown in the accompanyingdrawing, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a propane campingstove and a refillable propane tank for supplying fuel to the stove;

FIG. 2' is an exploded perspective view of the regulator for the stove,the adaptor coupling, and the valveof the propane tank;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the parts of FIG. 2 as assembled;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 44of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the hand wheel in position toconnect the adaptor to the regulator;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, partially broken away, taken along theline 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. '8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one end of the adaptor whichis provided with a second adaptor fitting;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the second adaptor fitting insolid; and

FIG. 10 is an end view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. l, a conventionalpropane camping stove 15 having burners 16 and 17 is supplied withpropane fuel by a large, refillable propane tank 18 which is equippedwith a conventional POL valve l9. The stove is equipped with a fuel hoseor conduit 20 which is connected to a fuel regulator 21, and the fuelregulator is connected to the POL valve by adaptor coupling The fuelregulator 21 is adapted to be connected to a conventional throw-awaypropane container and includes an internally threaded female fitting 23(FIG. 2) whichcan be threadedly engaged with the conventional malebushing of such a container and a'probe 24 which is designed to open thecore valve which is conventionally positioned within the male bushing ofsuch a container and a probe 24 which is designed to open the core valvewhich is conventionally positioned within the male bushing of thepropane container. The probe is provided with an internal passagethrough which the propane can flow, and the amount of fuel supplied tothe fuel line 20 can be regulated by adjusting knob 25.

The standard POL valve 19 includes an internally threaded female fitting26, a male fitting 27 which is threaded into the propane tank, and ahand wheel 28 for opening and closing the valve.

The connector fittings 23 and 26 of the regulator 21 and POL valve 19are both internally threaded and are generally provided with differenttypes of threads. The

adaptor coupling 22 must therefore be used to interconnect the regulator21 and the valve 19, which provide flow conduits for the propane fuel.

The adaptor coupling 22 includes a first male coupler fitting 30 whichis provided with external threads adapted to engage the internal threadsof the regulator fitting 23 and a second male coupler fitting 31 whichis provided with external threads adapted to engage the internal threadsof the valve fitting 26. The fitting 31 is generally cylindrical (FIG.4) and is rotatably and slidably ensleeved on an elongated central tubeor adaptor body 32. The adaptor body includes a cylindrical cen tralportion 33 and an externally threaded end 34 which is threadedly engagedwith mating threads on the coupler fitting 30. The other end of theadaptor body includes a generally bullet-shaped nose 35 which includes aradially outwardly extending shoulder 36 which retains the couplerfitting 31 on the cylindrical center portion of the adaptor body. Thecurved surface of the nose portion 35 is adapted to mate with and seatin the cup-shaped seating surface 36 which is provided in theconventional POL valve. A fluid-tight seal is provided between the nose35 and the valve seat 36 by an O-ring 37 which is received in an annulargroove 38 in the nose and which extends outwardly beyond the curvedsurface thereof.

The coupler fitting 31 can be rotated on the adaptor body 32 by handwheel or knob 40 which is fixedly secured thereto. The hand wheelincludes a generally cylindrical side wall 41 which is provided withcircumferentially spaced gripping ribs 42, and an end wall 43 which isprovided with a central opening sized to receive cylindrical end portion44 of the coupler fitting 31. The hand wheel is inserted over thecyindrical end portion 44 of the fitting until it abuts the radiallyoutwardly extending annular shoulder 45 thereon, and the hand wheel issecured by swaging the end portion 44 outwardly into secure engagementwith the end wall 43 of the wheel. Relative rotation between the handwheel and the fitting 31 is prevented by engagement of diametricallyopposed lugs 46 (FIGS. 2 and 7) on the hand wheel which engage flats 45ain the annular shoulder 45.

The hand wheel includes a pair of generally diametrically opposed lugs47 which extend from the end wall 43 toward the coupler fitting 30 andwhich provide fiat shoulders 48. The shoulders 48 are positionedslightly radially outwardly of flats 49 which are provided on thegenerally cylindrical coupler fitting 30, and the hand wheel and couplerfitting 31 may slide axially along the adaptor body 32 to permit theshoulders 48 of the hand wheel to overlie the flats 49 so that thecoupler fitting 30 will be caused to rotate with the hand wheel as theshoulders engage the fiats.

The adaptor body 32 is provided with a longitudinally extending centralpassage 51 which communicates with an axially aligned central passage 52in the coupler fitting 30. The passage or bore 51 is provided with athreaded portion 53 adjacent the end which is connected to the couplerfitting 30 for threadedly receiving a conventional tire or core valve54. The tire valve is well known and need not be described in detail. Itis sufficient to say that the valve includesan externally threadedportion 55 which engages the threaded portion 51 of the bore, afrusto-conical seat portion 56 which seats in a frusto-conical flaredportion 57 of the bore, an actuating stem, and a seal 59.

An O-ring 60 is received in an annular recess 61 in the bore 52 of thecoupler fitting 30. The threaded end of the adaptor body terminates in aflat annular face 62 which abuts a flat face 63 on the coupler fitting30, and a circular rib 64 on the fitting is received by acorrespondingly shaped recess in the adaptor body.

When the stove 15 or other appliance is to be supplied by a throw-awaypropane container, the regulator 21 can be connected directly to thecontainer so that fuel can flow through the probe 24, the regulator 21,and the fuel line 20 to the appliance.

When it is desired to power the appliance by a large refillablecontainer such as the container 18, the regulator is removed from thesmall fuel container. The hand wheel 40 and the coupler fitting 31 ofthe adaptor are then moved axially along the adaptor body toward thecoupler fitting 30 of the adaptor, and the hand wheel is rotated asnecessary to permit the shoulders 48 to slide axially over the flatsurfaces 49 on the coupler fitting 30. The shoulders 48 will thenmatingly engage the flats 49 and the shoulders and flats will act asabutment means so that rotation of the hand wheel 40 will cause rotationof the coupler fitting 30 and the adaptor body 32. The coupler fitting30 can then be easily screwed into the fitting 23 of the regulator 21 byturning the hand wheel, which acts as a torque-providing means for thegenerally cylindrical coupler fitting. As the coupler fitting 30 isscrewed into the regulator fitting 23 (FIGS. 6 and 7) the probe 24passes through the O-ring 59 and is sealingly engaged thereby. As thecoupler fitting 30 is tightened upon the regulator fitting 23, the probe24 will contact the actuating stem 58 of the core valve and push thestem and the seal 59 axially to the right as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 6,thereby opening the core valve. A fluid-tight seal is maintained betweenthe coupler fitting 30 and the regulator fitting 23 by the O-ring 60,and the connection between these fittings need by only hand tight.

After the adaptor is connected to the regulator, the hand wheel 40 andthe attached coupler fitting 31 can be moved axially to the right asviewed in FIGS. 6 and 7 until the coupler fitting 31 abuts the shoulder36 of the bullet-shaped nose 35. In this position, the lugs 47 areaxially offset from the flats 49, and the hand wheel can be rotatedfreely on the adaptor body without engaging the coupler fitting 30. Thehand wheel can then be used to screw the coupler fitting 31 into the POLvalve fitting 26. As the coupler fitting 31 is tightened within the POLvalve, the O-ring 37 is compressed by the seat 36 of the valve andprovides a fluid-tight seal between the valve and the adaptor when thefitting is merely hand tightened. The fitting 31 rotates on the adaptorbody as it is screwed into the POL valve, and the adaptor body and theregulator will remain stationary.

The POL Valve can then be opened by turning the valve handle 28, and theregulator 21 can be opened by turning the knob 25. Fuel will flow fromthe tank through the POL valve, the central bore 50 of the adaptor body,the core valve 54, the central bore of the probe 24, the regulator 21,and the fuel line 20 to the appliance.

When it is desired to disconnect the appliance from the refillable fueltank, the hand wheel 40 is rotated to unscres the coupler fitting 31from the POL valve. The hand wheel 40 can then be moved axially alongthe adaptor body until the shoulders 48 of the lugs 47 engage the flats49 of the coupler fitting 30, and the hand wheel can then be used tounscrew the coupler fitting 30 from the regulator.

If the regulator is unscrewed from the coupler fitting 30 before theadaptor is removed from the POL valve and before the valve is closed,the core valve 54 will close as the probe 24 is withdrawn, therebypreventing leakage of fuel.

The threads of a conventional POL valve are left hand, and the threadsof the coupler fitting 31 would then also be left hand. The threads ofthe male bushing of a conventional throw-away propane container areconventionally right hand, and the threads of the regulator fitting 23and the coupler fitting 30 would also be right hand. Since the threadsof the coupler fittings 30 and 31 are of opposite hand, if the handwheel 40 I should happen to engage the flats 49 while the fitting 31 isbeing screwed into the POL valve, the coupler fitting 30 would only befurther tightened within the regulator fitting 23 rather than beingloosened, thereby preventing inadvertent opening of the seal between theadaptor and the regulator.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a second adaptor which permits the adaptor 22 toconnect the regulator 21 to a fuel tank having a valve with a push-inconnection such as the Model 5410-750 propane bottle available from TheColeman Company, Inc. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the bullet-nose endportion of the adaptor body 32, and this end of the bore 50 of theadaptor body is provided with internal threads 66. An adaptor or probe67 includes a generally cylindrical body 68, a frusto-conical nose 69,and an externally threaded attaching portion 70 of reduced diameter. Thecylindrical body 58 is provided with an annular recess 71 adjacent thenose 69 which receives an O-ring 72. A central bore 73 extends throughthe adaptor 67, and the flat end 74 thereof is provided with atransversely extending slot 75.

The adaptor 67 is connected to the adaptor 22 by screwing the threadedportion 70 into the internally threaded portion of the bore 50, andscrewdriver or coin can be inserted into the slot 75 to facilitate thisconnection. Thereafter, the regulator and the adaptor 22 can beconnected to the propane container merely by pushing the adaptor 67 intothe valve of the container. The O-ring 72 providing a fluid-tight sealbetween the valve and the adaptor 67.

While in the foregoing specification, a detailed description of aspecific embodiment of the invention was set forth for the purpose ofillustration, it is to be understood that many of the detailshereingiven may be varied considerably by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim 1. An adaptor coupler for connecting a fuel tank having aninternally threaded POL valve to a fuel flow conduit having a connectorfitting comprising an elongated adaptor body having a pair of ends and agenerally cylindrical central portion, the adaptor body being providedwith a longitudinally extending fuel flow passage therethrough, one ofthe ends of the adaptor body being provided with a generallybullet-shaped nose extending radially outwardly from the central portionof the adaptor body and being adapted to be received by the POL valve, afirst coupler fitting secured to the other end of the adaptor body andhaving threads adapted to be threadedly engaged with the connectorfitting of the fuel flow conduit, a second externally threaded generallycylindrical male coupler fitting r0- tatably and slidably received onthe central portion of the adaptor body and adapted to be threadedlyengaged with the threads of the POL valve, knob means secured to thesecond coupler fitting and extending radially outwardly for rotating thesecond coupler fitting about the central portion of the adaptor body, atleast a pair of lugs extending axially from the knob means toward thefirst coupler fitting, the first coupler fitting having at least a pairof lug-engaging surfaces which are engageable with the lugs to permitthe first coupler fitting to be rotated by the hand wheel, the spacingbetween the first coupler fitting and the bullet-shaped nose being suchthat the second coupler fitting and the knob means are slidable axiallybetween a first position in which the lugs engage the lug-engagingsurfaces of the first coupler fitting whereby the first coupler fittingmay be rotated by the knob means to threadedly engage the first couplerfitting to the fuel flow conduit and a second position in which the knobmeans may rotate without the lugs engaging the first fitting whereby thesecond fitting may be threadedly engaged with the POL valve withoutrotating the first coupler fitting.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which the bullet-shaped nose is providedwith an annular recess and a compressible O-ring is received by therecess.

3. The structure of claim 1 including valve means positioned within thefluid passage of the adaptor body for closing the fluid passagetherethrough when the first fitting is not engaged with the connectorfitting of the fuel flow conduit.

4. The structure of claim 3 in which the first coupler fitting isprovided with a central passage axially aligned with the passage throughthe adaptor body, the valve means being adapted to be opened by a probecarried by the fuel flow conduit and having a central passage therein,and an O-ring positioned within the central passage of the first couplerfitting for sealingly engaging the probe.

5. The structure of claim 1 in which the knob means comprises a handwheel.

6. An adaptor coupler for connecting a pair of internally threadedfemale fittings comprising an elongated adaptor body having a pair ofends and a fluid fiow pas sage therethrough, one of the ends of theadaptor body being adapted to sealingly engage one of the femalefittings, externally threaded male coupling means on the other end ofthe adaptor body and being adapted to threadedly engage the other femalefitting, an externally threaded generally cylindrical male couplerfitting rotatably and slidably mounted on the adaptor body and adaptedto threadedly engage said one female fitting, knob means on the malecoupler fitting for rotating the coupler fitting about the adaptor body,abutment means on the male coupler fitting and abutment means on theadaptor body, the spacing between the abutment means on the adaptor bodyand said one end of the adaptor body being such that the male couplerfitting is slidable axially between a first position in which theabutment means on the male coupler fitting engage the abutment means onthe adaptor body whereby the adaptor body may be rotated by rotating themale coupler fitting to threadedly engage the male coupling means on theadaptor body with said other female fitting and a second position inwhich the male coupler fitting may rotate without the abutment meansthereon engaging the abutment means on the adaptor body whereby the malecoupler fitting may be threadedly engaged with said one female fittingwithout rotating the adaptor body and the male coupling means thereon.

7. The structure of claim 6 in which the male coupling means on theadaptor body comprises an externally threaded male coupler fittingsecured to the other end of the adaptor body.

8. The structure of claim 6 in which the male coupling means on theadaptor body comprises an externally threaded male coupler fittingsecured to the other end of the adaptor body and the abutment means onthe adaptor body comprises a plurality of flat surfaces on the malecoupler fitting secured to the other end of the adaptor body.

9. The structure of claim 6 in which the knob means comprises a handwheel secured to the male coupler fitting.

10. The structure of claim 6 in which the male coupling means on theadaptor body comprises an externally threaded male coupler fittingsecured to the other end of the adaptor body, the knob means comprisinga hand wheel secured to the male coupler fitting which is rotatably andslidably mounted on the adaptor body, the abutment means on the adaptorbody comprising a plurality of flat surfaces on the male coupler fittingwhich is secured to the other end of the adaptor body, the abutmentmeans on the male coupler fitting which is rotatably mounted on theadaptor body comprising lug means on the hand wheel extending axiallytoward said other end of the adaptor body, the lug means being spacedslightly radially outwardly from the flat surfaces on the male couplerfitting which is secured to said other end of the adaptor body.

* it I: a

1. An adaptor coupler for connecting a fuel tank having an internally threaded POL valve to a fuel flow conduit having a connector fitting comprising an elongated adaptor body having a pair of ends and a generally cylindrical central portion, the adaptor body being provided with a longitudinally extending fuel flow passage therethrough, one of the ends of the adaptor body being provided with a generally bullet-shaped nose extending radially outwardly from the central portion of the adaptor body and being adapted to be received by the POL valve, a first coupler fitting secured to the other end of the adaptor body and having threads adapted to be threadedly engaged with the connector fitting of the fuel flow conduit, a second externally threaded generally cylindrical male coupler fitting rotatably and slidably received on the central portion of the adaptor body and adapted to be threadedly engaged with the threads of the POL valve, knob means secured to the second coupler fitting and extending radially outwardly for rotating the second coupler fitting about the central portion of the adaptor body, at least a pair of lugs extending axially from the knob means toward the first coupler fitting, the first coupler fitting having at least a pair of lug-engaging surfaces which are engageable with the lugs to permit the first coupler fitting to be rotated by the hand wheel, the spacing between the first coupler fitting and the bullet-shaped nose being such that the second coupler fitting and the knob means are slidable axially between a first position in which the lugs engage the lug-engaging surfaces of the first coupler fitting whereby the first coupler fitting may be rotated by the knob means to threadedly engage the first coupler fitting to the fuel flow conduit and a second position in which the knob means may rotate without the lugs engaging the first fitting whereby the second fitting may be threadedly engaged with the POL valve without rotating the first coupler fitting.
 2. The structure of claim 1 in which the bullet-shaped nose is provided with an annular recess and a compressible O-ring is received by the recess.
 3. The structure of claim 1 including valve means positioned within the fluid passage of the adaptor body for closing the fluid passage therethrough when the first fitting is not engaged with the connector fitting of the fuel flow conduit.
 4. The structurE of claim 3 in which the first coupler fitting is provided with a central passage axially aligned with the passage through the adaptor body, the valve means being adapted to be opened by a probe carried by the fuel flow conduit and having a central passage therein, and an O-ring positioned within the central passage of the first coupler fitting for sealingly engaging the probe.
 5. The structure of claim 1 in which the knob means comprises a hand wheel.
 6. An adaptor coupler for connecting a pair of internally threaded female fittings comprising an elongated adaptor body having a pair of ends and a fluid flow passage therethrough, one of the ends of the adaptor body being adapted to sealingly engage one of the female fittings, externally threaded male coupling means on the other end of the adaptor body and being adapted to threadedly engage the other female fitting, an externally threaded generally cylindrical male coupler fitting rotatably and slidably mounted on the adaptor body and adapted to threadedly engage said one female fitting, knob means on the male coupler fitting for rotating the coupler fitting about the adaptor body, abutment means on the male coupler fitting and abutment means on the adaptor body, the spacing between the abutment means on the adaptor body and said one end of the adaptor body being such that the male coupler fitting is slidable axially between a first position in which the abutment means on the male coupler fitting engage the abutment means on the adaptor body whereby the adaptor body may be rotated by rotating the male coupler fitting to threadedly engage the male coupling means on the adaptor body with said other female fitting and a second position in which the male coupler fitting may rotate without the abutment means thereon engaging the abutment means on the adaptor body whereby the male coupler fitting may be threadedly engaged with said one female fitting without rotating the adaptor body and the male coupling means thereon.
 7. The structure of claim 6 in which the male coupling means on the adaptor body comprises an externally threaded male coupler fitting secured to the other end of the adaptor body.
 8. The structure of claim 6 in which the male coupling means on the adaptor body comprises an externally threaded male coupler fitting secured to the other end of the adaptor body and the abutment means on the adaptor body comprises a plurality of flat surfaces on the male coupler fitting secured to the other end of the adaptor body.
 9. The structure of claim 6 in which the knob means comprises a hand wheel secured to the male coupler fitting.
 10. The structure of claim 6 in which the male coupling means on the adaptor body comprises an externally threaded male coupler fitting secured to the other end of the adaptor body, the knob means comprising a hand wheel secured to the male coupler fitting which is rotatably and slidably mounted on the adaptor body, the abutment means on the adaptor body comprising a plurality of flat surfaces on the male coupler fitting which is secured to the other end of the adaptor body, the abutment means on the male coupler fitting which is rotatably mounted on the adaptor body comprising lug means on the hand wheel extending axially toward said other end of the adaptor body, the lug means being spaced slightly radially outwardly from the flat surfaces on the male coupler fitting which is secured to said other end of the adaptor body. 